As part of a coordinated European response, the Dutch vessel, Karel Doorman, delivered vital supplies to Sint Maarten, one of the worst-hit islands in the Caribbean. The consignment is the single largest shipment of relief goods post-hurricane Irma. The ship transported relief including basic kits for survival, clean water and food, construction material and fuel, as well as additional logistical support to reach isolated communities. The European Commission will provide a grant of up to €2 145 000 towards the cost of the transport through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which was activated at the request of the Netherlands.

EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides, said ''The EU has been committed since the very beginning to support those affected by Hurricane Irma, having mobilised its emergency response tools, experts, satellite mapping and emergency humanitarian funding last month. Through this new aid delivery, our EU support continues.

I would like to express my thanks to the Dutch Navy and sympathy for the people affected by Hurricane Irma in Sint Maarten. I am glad to announce that the European Union is helping provide further assistance to the affected island."

Offloading at Port Sint Maarten started immediately upon arrival on Sunday 1 October, the consignment of goods weighed over one million kilos and was valued at an estimated more than three million euros.

Background

The EU has mobilised all its emergency response tools to help the affected countries in the region. The EU mobilised €2 408 000 initial immediate humanitarian assistance for the islands of the region affected by hurricane Irma. Furthermore, the Copernicus satellite mapping tool has helped support relief efforts on both parts of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin island. European Commission humanitarian staffs have been deployed to the island of Dominica which has suffered extensive damage.

The EU has mobilised an immediate EU aid package of €250 000 to Dominica in order to address urgent needs and includes logistic support, telecommunications and food, as well as additional logistical support to reach isolated communities.